Tl* the contact owns a 1990 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that the floor panels on the front driver and passenger sides were exposed. Also, the front passenger side door failed to open on from outside and inside the vehicle. The contact had to apply force to get the front passenger side door to open and close. The contact also indicated that all of the seat belts failed to work except the rear driver side seat belt. Additionally, the vehicle stalled more than once and the steering wheel was extremely tight upon making a turn. The vehicle was unable to be safely driven and a knocking noise was heard. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 91v005000 (seat belts) and 90v054000 (seat belts). An independent dealer was notified of the failures and indicated that the vehicle needed to be inspected, but did not confirm that an inspection was completed before selling the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 211,591.
The worst 1990 Chevrolet Lumina problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes228
- Body62
- Steering39
- Engine37
- Seat belts28
- Electrical24
- Wheels14
- Suspension13
- Visibility9
- Seats8
- Fuel system7
- Acceleration6
- Lights6
- Transmission4
- Tires3
Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
Brake failure 39Power steering loss 18ABS 15Seat belt 12Grinding brakes 9Premature wear 7Fire or smoke 6Stalling 6Engine failure 5
Recalls 7
Structure
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, where road salt use is heavy. A condition where one or both front engine cradle bolts can pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainers.
- Risk
- If both bolts pull through, the front of the cradle would no longer be supported at the mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft could separate from the steering gear.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.
Recall number 00V189000 · Recall details
Structure
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. If both bolts pull through, the rear cradle would not longer be supported at these mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft can separate from the steering gear.
- Risk
- If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
Recall number 97V058000 · Recall details
Wheels
- What is wrong
- Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
- Risk
- If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle is in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
Recall number 95V115000 · Recall details
Wheels
- What is wrong
- Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
- Risk
- If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle is in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
Recall number 94V041000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- Front shoulder safety belt webbing may separate at front belt upper guide loops on either side of the front seat.
- Risk
- Webbing separation could occur without prior warning andincrease the risk of injury to belted front outboard occupants in a high energycrash.
- Remedy
- Install a controlled rotation bracket on driver and passenger side front seat belt guide loops.
Recall number 91V005000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Brake stoplamps may not illuminate or, in some cases, stoplamps will not stay illuminated all the time when brakes are applied due to a faulty stoplamp switch. Also in vehicles equipped with cruise control, a faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the brake pedal.
- Risk
- A trailing vehicle may not recognize a braking actionin time to respond appropriately. Also, cruise control will reengage uponrelease of the brake pedal and resume the set speed. In either case, it couldresult in a crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Install an improved design stoplamp switch.
Recall number 90V185000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.
- Risk
- Seat belt may not sustain loads required by fmvss 210, and in a vehicle accident, the seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger, resulting in increased risk of greater injury to an occupant.
- Remedy
- Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.
Recall number 90V054000 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
Defect investigations
Structure
There is no summary currently available
RP01001
Engine cradle separation
The engine cradle front bolts and/or retainers may fail, allowing the front of the engine cradle to fall, possibly separating the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear, with complete loss of steering control
EA00011
Engine cradle separation
On april 1, 1997, general motors corporation filed a defect information report to recall the subject vehicles, registered in 14 high corrosion states, to replace the rear engine cradle bolts and retainers.the rear engine cradle bolts would either fracturer or pull through the retianers due to corrosion.as of september 1998, the sixth quarter, 59.3% of the subject vehicles had been repaired.in addition to the complaints of front engine cradle bolt failures in the above failure report summary, odi has received six reports of possible front engine cradle bolt failures, including two crashes.an rq is warranted to determine the extent of failures of the front engine cradle bolts and retainers on the subject vehicles.
RQ99002
Cradle bolt failures
There is no summary currently available
RQ97017
Corroded rear disk brakes
There is no summary currently available
PE94063
Wheel failures
There is no summary currently available
PE93085
Sticking throttle
There is no summary currently available
EA92024
Apv fuel line fires
There is no summary currently available
PE92052
Jack failure
===
EA91049
Jack failure
There is no summary currently available
PE91107
Steering wheel separation
There is no summary currently available
PE91072
Failure stop lamp switch
There is no summary currently available
PE90088
Speed control fails
There is no summary currently available
PE90058
Safety belt cut by d-ring
There is no summary currently available
EA90014
Safety belt cut by d-rings
There is no summary currently available
PE90013
Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina 8
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- No tcc apply, malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on, tcc surge, possible P0740, P1870, or 39 after...
- Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension
- Some V6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered...
- Recall 90-C-39A - supplemental letter adding vehicles to the original recall 90-C-39
- Supplement to product safety campaign 90-C-39
- ABS warning light is on
- Rear strut related thumping/squeaking noise
- ABS wire harness for the right front wheel may rub on the brake line causing the ABS warning light to come on
1990 Chevrolet Lumina fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 24-27 | 20 |
What 1990 Chevrolet Lumina owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt*: the contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the car suddenly pulled to the right. When the contact regained control of the vehicle, the steering wheel was in the upside down position. The vehicle was steered into a driveway. Upon inspection, the shaft between the steering column and the rack and pinion was observed to be detached. When the rack and pinion was reassemled it appeared to be very loose. The contact is a private mechanic by trade.
I had come to a stop at an intersection stop sign. I when to pull into traffic when the frame of the car just fell apart and I had no steering. I ended up in a persons yard. If there would have been heavy traffic of if I had gotten to the expressway as I had planned, this accident could have killed me or passengers in my car. I had to have the car towed and at this time have not made arrangements to have the car repaired.
Dt*: the contact stated while filling the radiator with anti-freeze a puddle was noticed under the vehicle. Upon inspection the independent repair shop determined the radiator needed to be replaced due to the age of the part. While locating a replacement part it was discovered that the original radiator was the incorrect type for the vehicle. The radiator was replaced with a 1993 model radiator by the mechanic.
Dt:the contact received the federal safety agency recall 00v189000 concerning front engine cradle bolts. While driving the vehicle's front engine cradle bolts rusted, and the frame dropped to the ground. Also, the steering shaft separated and broke. He was unable to steer the car. He was able to stop the car without incident, the vehicle was then towed. The contact had the vehicle repaired at cost. Contacted the manufacturer, and they refused to pay for the repair work. They stated the repair cost would exceed the cost of the vehicle.
Vehicle: 1990 chevrolet lumina, [xxx] 1. October 2, 2000: vehicle was exiting supermarket parking lot on duke rd. In cheektowaga, ny. 2. Vehicle engine cradle bolts fail, causing steering intermediate shaft to separate from steering gear, vehicle was moving and nearly involved in a crash. 3. October 3, 2000: vehicle was repaired by jim mazz auto inc. In buffalo, ny (engine cradle, bolts, bushings, steering column) 4. November 2000: gm recall notice received for vehicle relating to the federal safety agency campaign number 00v189000 5. November 2000 - present: several attempts to receive reimbursement from gm for part failure that occurred before recall. Original case number: [xxx]. Current case number: [xxx]. 6. May 2001: vehicle traded in to gillogly chevrolet, west seneca, ny for purchase of 1998 chevrolet malibu. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
While driving on the freeway at 55 MPH, the rear back window/glass and it's molding exploded outwards into on coming traffic. This occurred because the window/glass wasn't properly sealed at the factory.
While driving 45 MPH vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, and it rolled over twice. Driver and passenger sustained major injuries, and were transported to the hospital by ambulance. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection.
The brakes lights did not work, the cruise control would not release. The manufacturer stated the case was closed. Recall 1990. The consumer was informed that the recall was more than 10 years old.
With engine cold, the throttle accelerates on it's own. Unfortunately this only occurs with the transmission engaged and usually in reverse backing out of a parking space at my work! This is extremely dangerous and can be predicted!
Compare the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
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Questions about the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
Is the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?
Owners have filed 426 complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina, 20.3 times a typical Lumina model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina?
Brakes, with 228 complaints. Next is body (62).
How many recalls does the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina have?
7 recalls, covering structure, wheels and seat belts.
What year does the Chevrolet Lumina have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet Lumina model years with the most brakes complaints are 1990 (228 complaints), 1991 (183 complaints) and 1992 (161 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina get?
Official estimates for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 25 highway.
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